I think sometimes we can sometimes let this get the better of us. We can always find a way to justify, if just to yourself, that toy we really want under the guise of a legitimate preparedness need. I remember a guy who had multiple motorcycles "for SHTF transportation". In reality he just liked motorcycles. Maybe for some other guy it is a 2k rifle with a 2k optic or a $500 fishing rod. Probably the biggest single area this happens is firearms. Heck probably 10% of the "survivalists" out there are just gun nuts with a case of MRE's anyway. Most of us are guys and we like guns. For me I can't pin down any single incident. However there is one thing I have been holding off on because I like my toys.
I like guns and have a collection that some people would consider large. It has some depth and also good breadth. Some guns fall more into the collection while others are core defensive weapons. If I was making a ruthless preparedness move I would greatly streamline my collection. Aside from an heirloom or two I would sell off a bunch of stuff and have just core weapons. Instead of a meandering collection of handguns I would own a pair of stainless .357 magnums, a .22 and a few Glock 9mm's. For rifles I would have AR's, AK's and at some point a scoped .308. For shotguns I would have just Remington 870's. Toss in a Ruger 10/22 and I would be done. I would have a collection of equitable size but lean and mean.
While I am passively planning (willing to sell but not very actively seeking a buyer) a sale or maybe two in general my plan is to hold what I have. Over time I will improve the ratio of core to collection not by getting rid of the collection but by getting more core. I probably try sometimes to justify the collection of toys. Though it might be convenient to have a weapon with a corresponding store of ammo in almost every common caliber (no .308 yet) more likely it is a poor allocation of my limited resources.
When Was The Last Time You Tried To Justify A Toy For Preparedness?
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8 comments:
I agree about the firearms. Knives would be another one. I have some knives I honestly do not need.
I can't really say I have anything I wouldn't need. Maybe my M44 is about all that would qualify. I've only got a couple knives. Everything I get has a legitimate purpose, and I don't have a lot of "back ups". I would like a concealable pistol (as you've pointed out to me on more than one occasion), but I honestly don't feel the need. It's a want. One that I'm not willing, or able to spring for at the moment. I'm all about food storage, having four mouths to feed. There's never enough food...
hahahahaha
*cough* fabric *cough*
Ooooh there might not be enough denim after TSHTF, I should buy 3 yards of it. OMG, fleece for 1.99 a yard, better stock up!
To an extent, yea they'll be useful, but when I'm brutally honest... not so much. :-)
I have a flashlight fetish - probally 30 or more flashlights. I hve alsways loved them.
I saw a flashlight at the auto parts store - absolutely huge!!!!I believe it is brighter than a headlight from a vehicle - gotta have it!!
Spending $30 on high power, high performance small LED light takes some justification talks with myself.
Rourke
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I've always liked firearms and agree that I use prepping as an excuse to buy 'another'. Some of my latest buys are following the 'Two is one, one is none' (i.e. always have a backup of critical items).
The only item I lack is probably one of (if not THE) most important - food. For some reason, buckets of rice and wheat just don't get my interest piqued. Very stupid of me, I agree. Food is just as important if not more than firearms.
Like namelos above, too many knives and other sharp pointy objects.
I don't have 'toys' in excess, but if you had asked about obsessive stockpiling...toilet paper. I've got enough for over 20 months. The end of t.p. spells the end of civilization for me.
My weakness is when I see really cheap "preparedness essentials". When I saw my first .22 revolver for $75 (yeah I'm young) I snatched it up. I picked up the next one that I saw for that price, too. I don't have any knives that cost more than ~$30. I have a knife or two that I probably don't need. As for food I'm always having to prove to myself that expiration dates are ridiculous. If I walk into a grocery store I end up with a few extra cans of food or a bag of pasta or something else that's non perishable. It's amazing how much of a food stockpile you can amass by just buying a few more cans than you'll eat every time you go to the store.
Cans of tart cherries for cobbler....I can always justify those since they will make life a little less sucky :)
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